By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Part of the Teal Close development in Gedling may have to be redesigned after developers found underground water pipes on part of the land.
New documents reveal the layout for some of the 800-home scheme’s third phase will be changed after the underground culvert pipes were discovered.
It will affect the design and location of 16 homes in the final stages of the development, which has permission to build 255 houses on the land.
Documents say the first phase of the scheme, which brought 199 houses, is nearing completion.
The new on-site primary school and care home have also been built while work on the 353-home second phase is currently under way.
The wider development sits on either side of the A612 Colwick Loop Road near Stoke Bardolph and Netherfield, with the third phase to be built on the western side of the road.
But the documents, which will be discussed by Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee next week (February 22), could lead to a redesigning of part of the third phase.
Developer Persimmon Homes has confirmed the pipes have been discovered and said: “A re-plan of this area is necessary due to the discovery of an existing culvert in the southwestern corner of phase three.
“[This] cannot be built upon and its easement needs to be respected.
“The layout has been redesigned with the principle consideration of the existing culvert to the southwest.
“This added constraint has influenced the layout of the proposals, ensuring that the culvert itself is avoided and that its necessary easement is respected.
“Houses have been moved eastwards to avoid the culvert and open space has been strategically moved to the area where the culvert sits. to ensure unit numbers remain and open space provision is still secured.”
Two of the 16 properties listed in the current application will be marketed as ‘affordable’.
And, alongside the redesigning, an additional home could be added to the third phase of the scheme.
The developer plans to replace a large detached home with two smaller semi-detached properties, taking the total housing number to 256 for the third phase.
In total, it means 808 homes could be built across the Teal Close development.
As part of the wider Teal Close scheme, about £2m was requested in developer contributions to mitigate the impact of the homes.
This included more than £1.5m for transport, road and bus improvements and £200,000 for healthcare.
A further £78,762 will be requested through this 16-home application to combat “insufficient secondary school places in the area”.
Gedling Borough Council’s planning department is recommending approval for the plans next week.
The council’s planning department said: “The proposed development would be of a design and appearance that would be appropriate in the context of the surrounding area.
“[It] would not have an adverse impact upon visual amenity, residential amenity or highway safety.”